So I could buy the safe, fit it, apply, get the licence and then get one (no training required?). That's a pretty scary prospect!

I thought you had to have a really strong justification.

You're a person of good character with a clean record, why shouldn't you have a sporting shotgun?

You need reasons to own firearms, FAC, 2 referees, club membership. Good clubs have safety courses and such, usually included in your fees, £50 a year or so.

To own a shotgun, 1 referee, no club membership is required. I mean it's good if you've been on a safety course or something like that and joining a club is an excellent social outlet. Not really a legal requirement though.

The GMP firearms team are good folk, phone them up and ask them to send you the application forms with the notes about security. But as I said before, bolt in a safe, you only need one for shotgun as there's actually no legal requirement for locked storage of shotgun ammo. It's best to have a locked box for your own piece of mind tho... Bear in mind that the best shotgun ammo deals are when you buy in units of a 1000, max you can own is based on the amount of powder, it's thousands though so don't worry.

A relative of mine has had a licence for the last ten years and he didn't even have a gun! Not much of a justification there.

It's not a license, more a certificate granting you the right to acquire.
You need the certificate to buy shotgun ammo, so maybe he buys his own ammo but uses a friend's or a club's shotgun. You can borrow section 2 shotguns for a weekend or so and it's still legal, as long as you have the certificate.

UK firearms law is very long winded, but I'm getting the hang of it._________________amat victoria curam

A relative of mine has had a licence for the last ten years and he didn't even have a gun! Not much of a justification there.

... so maybe he buys his own ammo but uses a friend's or a club's shotgun.

He didn't own a gun or even shoot. It illustrates your point that they have to find reasons for not issuing the certificate. He just wanted to maintain having a certificate in case he wanted to get a gun._________________Lancaster Lad

So I could buy the safe, fit it, apply, get the licence and then get one (no training required?). That's a pretty scary prospect!

I thought you had to have a really strong justification.

Training is a good idea for your own safety and that of others, but as pointed out it is not a requirement for obtaining a shotgun certificate.

Many people who dont own a shotgun still have a certificate, in order that they may lawfully borrow a gun, or purchase one at short notice._________________"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"